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Dempsey Is MLS’ Top-Paid Player

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 5: Clint Dempsey #2 of Seattle Sounders FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of the game against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on April 5, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)Clint Dempsey (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey is the league’s highest-paid player at $6,695,000 in guaranteed compensation this season.

Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy each have three of the 12 players making seven-figure salaries, according to figures released by the MLS Players Union.

The numbers include the player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years, but not performance bonuses.

Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley is the second highest paid MLS player, at $6.5 million, followed by teammate Jermain Defoe at $6.18 million and striker Gilberto at $1.2 million.

Thierry Henry of New York Red Bulls is set to make $4.35 million, while Tim Cahill of New York Red Bulls is due $3,625,000. Rounding out the other 12 are Montreal’s Marco DiVaio ($2.6 million), Seattle’s Obafemi Martins ($1,753,000), and Vancouver’s Pedro Morales ($1,410,900).

All 12 are designated players, meaning that only $387,500 of their pay counts against their clubs’ $3.1-million salary caps.

Other U.S. team members paid reasonably well, but not in the neighborhood of of Dempsey, Donovan, and Bradley are: 2012 MLS scoring leader Chris Wondolowski San Jose ($650,000); Maurice Edu, Philadelphia ($650,000); Clarence Goodson, San Jose ($342,000); and Michael Parkhurst ($300,000).

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